The construction of the “Kananga-Mbuji Mayi” road by the Egyptian group SAMCRETE Engenering is at the heart of a controversial issue. The DRC General Inspectorate of Finance recently requested justification regarding the amount of more than 24 million USD that was allocated to the company for this project. In a press release, the IGF accuses SAMCRETE Engenering of not having provided the appropriate elements of the file, leading to a hasty conclusion and endangering the reputation of the company.
Since the heavy rains that fell in the region, the populations of Mbuji-Mayi and Kananga have expressed their concern about the advanced state of disrepair of National Road number 1. It is in this context that the Egyptian group SAMCRETE Engenering has committed to building a 188 km paved road which is expected to last 50 years. The cost of the project has been set at USD 302 million, with an initial deposit of USD 27 million to start work.
However, the work is currently blocked due to the ban on SOFIBANQUE from paying the deposit of 27 million USD, ordered by the General Inspectorate of Finance. This situation raises many questions regarding the transparency and management of funds allocated to this road construction project.
SAMCRETE Engenering, for its part, refutes all the accusations made against it. The company says it is ready to take the matter to the competent authorities to obtain compensation and restore its tarnished image. She points the finger at the “populism” of the IGF and affirms that it did not have access to adequate elements of the file before formulating its accusations.
This file for the construction of the “Kananga-Mbuji Mayi” road therefore continues to evolve, giving rise to debates and questions regarding the management of public funds and transparency in infrastructure projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It remains to be seen how this matter will be resolved and whether work will finally be able to resume to meet the urgent needs of the populations concerned.
In conclusion, it is essential to guarantee transparent and rigorous management of funds allocated to infrastructure projects, in order to prevent any accusation of embezzlement and to allow the realization of projects essential for the development of the country. Further developments in this matter will be closely monitored.